Sumitomo (SHI) Demag modernises production logistics and training centre

Spatenstich für den Bau der neuen Lagerhalle am Sumitomo /SHI) Demag Standort, Schwaig; v.l.n.r. Dr. Thorsten Thümen, Shoichi Ohira, Gerd Liebig, Robert Josephus, Martin Fischer. / Ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the new warehouse at Sumitomo /SHI) Demag location, Schwaig; from left to right Dr. Thorsten Thümen, Shoichi Ohira, Gerd Liebig, Robert Josephus, Martin Fischer.

Das Management von Sumitomo (SHI) Demag vor dem erweiterten Schulungscenter in Schwaig; v.l.n.r. Robert Josephus, Gerd Liebig, Shoichi Ohira, Dr. Thorsten Thümen, Martin Fischer. / The management of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag in front of the expanded training centre in Schwaig; from left to right Robert Josephus, Gerd Liebig, Shoichi Ohira, Dr. Thorsten Thümen, Martin Fischer.

Since 2016, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery has invested almost EUR 20 million in modernising facilities and equipment at its two German sites in Schwaig and Wiehe. On 29 June 2020, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the next project phase within the growth strategy of the Japanese-German injection moulding machinery manufacturer: the construction of a new lightweight warehouse with 1,600 m2 of floor space in Schwaig.

"The optimisation of our internal logistics is the logical consequence of the capacity expansion and modernisation of production. We can further increase production efficiency and throughput times and achieve faster delivery times," says CEO Gerd Liebig.

The new hall location enables a direct material flow from goods receipt and the dispatch loading zone to production. Future plant expansions have also been accounted for in the planning of the building. Notably, the new hall houses the central collection point for production waste in order to make sorting, disposal and recycling even more efficient.

Expansion of training centre complete

The expansion and modernisation of the training centre in Schwaig is now also complete. Doubling capacity for customer training, the expansion of new training rooms provides direct connection to the applications technology department. As a result, the company’s training team has expanded to eight team members, providing training in machine technology, application technology and robotics. The rooms are equipped with the latest media technology, including digital boards with touchback function and an online studio, which enables course participants from all over the world to benefit from professional online training.

"With our modular training concepts and the worldwide integration of training material, our solutions can be used in an even more target-oriented and efficient way," explains Liebig.

"We can now tailor the training courses to suit individual needs. As a result, customers are more readily prepared and can immediately utilise the competitive advantages of new machinery and application technologies from the start. Thanks to modern media technology, we now offer efficient online training which reduces the time people need to allocate to professional skills development and performing practical exercises," adds Dr. Thorsten Thümen, Senior Director Technology at Sumitomo (SHI) Demag.